Please consider the following description of the application process for written papers at the DBF.

In general, the rules and indications of the Dean’s Office are to be considered: Academic Programs and Graduation.

The requirements for writing a paper at the DBF are a good and well-written Research Proposal (for deviating terms see table below) as well as a deep knowledge of the respective field. Especially the relevant lectures must have been visited and passed with good marks. For writing the Bachelor Thesis at the DBF, the successful completion of the mandatory modules is highly recommended.    

To write a paper at the DBF a written application is required. The application must include the subsequent documents/information:

• Application Form (PDF, 102 KB)
• Research Proposal
• Curriculum Vitae
• Proof of performance (Leistungsausweis)

The Research Proposal which summarises motivation, objective, approach and expected results on 2-3 pages, is an integral part of the application and a requirement for writing a paper at the DBF. The following documents serve as a support:

Instructions to write a Research Proposal (PDF, 193 KB)

Example of a Research Proposal (PDF, 148 KB)

Based on your Research Proposal, you will receive the final assignment tasks. The DBF reserves the right to require corrections and changes in the proposal, to provide another topic or to reject your application.

The topic is proposed by the students themselves. The research and interest fields of the assistants, listed in the table below, as well as the possible specific selections of topics might aid to make a decision.

The application has to be submitted at least one month before the desired starting month. If you would like to start in the beginning of May, for example, you have to apply until the end of March.

The DBF strives to give every applicant the opportunity to write a paper at the DBF. Applications can be rejected by particular chairs for reasons of capacity though. In case of doubt, the chair makes a decision between the applicants. Please consider the availability in the subsequent table (column: Availability). In case of any uncertainties/problems concerning a rejection of your application, do not hesitate to contact the tuition coordinator and manager of the DBF, Dr. Benjamin Wilding, by e-mail (subject: Paper rejected)

Usually, the applicants are informed at the latest two working weeks after the receipt of the application whether they have the possibility to write a paper at the IBF or not. In case of a positive answer, the responsible assistant will contact and inform you about the further procedure. Based on the Research Proposal, the final assignment of tasks will be specified and deposited at the Dean’s office or on OLAT.

Important: The IBF reserves the right to require corrections or to set another topic. The students are not entitled to topics chosen by them.

The period of six months starts with the personal acceptance of the topic at the Dean’s Office or on OLAT. Please have the exact deadline confirmed by the Dean’s office or by OLAT. The thesis has to be handed in at the Dean’s Office or on OLAT at the expiration of the time. The supervisor will inform you whether the process will be handled by the dean's office or by OLAT.

Literature research has priority during the initial phase of the thesis writing. To optimally prepare the students for this task, the DBF provides a 90-minute Literaturrecherche-Workshop in corporation with the Zentralbibliothek Zürich (ZB) at the beginning of each term. (An individual research consulting is also possible.)